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Topic: Is it Carnival? (Read 1636 times)

Hi everyone! as I'm recovering from a major op I thought I'd use my time to go through my glass and 'thin' some out and also get some i.d's on unknowns!! I've had this decanter sitting in the cabinet for about 12 years now its a light Marigold colour, slightly short of 8 1/2 inches (21cm) without stopper and 10 1/2 (26cm) with, stopper is glass with a cork collar. the iridescence does not go all the way to the bottom it stops just where the pattern starts, I've tried to see if its 'sprayed' on by the fingernail test but it doesn't come off or peel away!!! so, is it or isn't it!!! :lol:

Well first, as Della says, "get well soon". The after effects of general anaesthesia are long-lasting, aren't they (she says, remembering back :cry: )

So, is it Carnival or isn't it? It's not mainstream, Classic Carnival. Strictly that is iridised (press) moulded glass with a pattern. I have put "press" in parenthesis as Carnival may also be blown into a mould. Press moulded is the norm though.

Your decanter is iridised - and indeed has a marigold iridescence. But what I can't see on it is a moulded pattern of any sort. Is there one? That really is the final key.

There's a lot of iridised glass that is borderline Carnival. Purists would say it's not Carnival. But there are others who enjoy a wider outlook and embrace items that are on the fringe.

Della and Glen,many thanks for your kind words,I'm sure it will be many weeks before I am able to return to work, so I'll spend it sorting out my glass!! :lol:

Glen, there appear to be two very faint lines running down either side of the decanter, there is if you look at another of the photos posted a pattern at the base. if you want i can try to get a better picture of this.

John - yes - I've looked at your photos again, and with your written information to hand, I can see exactly what you mean. I think the lines down the sides of your decanter are the mould seams. I have also looked with fresh eyes at the photo that shows the lower section of the item and yes, I can see the moulded pattern (looks like vertical lines at intervals around the bottom section).

So, it is iridised, moulded glass with a moulded pattern - it is a form of Carnival Glass. If I had to guess a country of origin I would hazard that it is European, possibly Czech or German.

John, I am new to this board, but I can give you some info about carnival glass in general:It is all sprayed, that is how the iridescence is achieved. It's done while the glass is hot. Marigold is the only color used on clear glass; the other colors, like amethyst & green are actually colored glass with the spray applied to them. That makes marigold both the older color and the most fragile, as it shows wear easier than the other colors.Yours may be a liquor bottle, but should have some kind of marking on the bottom.